Interdisciplinary Engineer (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical)

US Western Area Power Administration; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

US Western Area Power Administration in Billings, MT invites applications for engineering positions within the Upper Great Plains Region. The job requires meeting basic and minimum qualifications for the 0800 series and may involve degree completion within 120 days of 10/09/2026, transcripts upload, and compliance with agency requirements.

Candidates must possess an ABET-accredited engineering degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, with options including FE exam,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• Ability to meet basic and minimum qualifications for the grade level.
• Knowledge of statics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and electrical fields.

Skills

Engineering basics

Power systems

Technical analysis

Documentation

Education

ABET-accredited degree

Engineering licensure/registration

Job description

These positions are part of the WAPA-UGPR-Upper Great Plains Region within the Transmission System Planning, Engineering, Maintenance and Construction divisions. Please refer to the Additional Information section below for more information. Applicants completing degree requirements within 120 days of 10/09/2026 may apply. Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded at time of application and official transcripts are required prior to entrance on duty. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. In order to be qualified for this position, you must meet the basic requirement AND minimum qualification requirements for the grade level(s) in which you apply. Basic Requirement: You must meet one of the following:

A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

B. Combination of education and experience - college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. (You must submit licensure or registration.)
2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. (You must submit documentation)
3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience.

To qualify at the GS-05 Grade Level: You must meet the Basic Requirement for the 0800 series as described above.

To qualify at the GS-07 Grade Level: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement for the 0800 series, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This experience includes:

• Applying practical knowledge in the principles, techniques, and practices of engineering.

OR

SUBSTITION OF EDUCATION: One (1) year of graduate-level education or Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A) is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.

OR

A combination of education and specialized experience.

To qualify at the GS-09 Grade Level: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement for the 0800 series, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This experience includes:

• Applying practical knowledge in the principles, techniques, and practices of engineering.
• At least one of the following:
  • Analyzing high voltage power systems.
  • Preparing design drawings or technical specifications.

OR

SUBSTITION OF EDUCATION: Two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree, if related.

OR

A combination of education and specialized experience.

To qualify at the GS-11: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement for the 0800 series, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This experience includes:

• Applying practical knowledge in the principles, techniques, and practices of engineering.
• At least two of the following:
  • Analyzing high voltage power systems.
  • Preparing operational planning or long-term planning studies and reporting on power system additions and modifications.
  • Preparing design drawings, technical specifications, or cost estimates.
  • Reviewing technical documents or contractor submittals for compliance with basic engineering requirements and project specifications.
  • Performing structural analysis and design, foundation design, or civil sitework.
  • Providing technical support by researching standards, criteria, or previous project documentation.

OR

SUBSTITION OF EDUCATION: Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if related.

OR

A combination of education and experience as described above to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To qualify at the GS-12: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement for the 0800 series, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This includes experience in at least TWO of the following:

• Preparing operational planning or long-term planning studies and reporting on power system additions and modifications.
• Developing, coordinating, and maintaining the network models utilized for steady state and transient analysis of power systems.
• Preparing engineering estimates, designs, drawings and specifications for civil type projects or electrical equipment.
• Preparing and reviewing technical documents or contractor submittals for compliance with basic engineering requirements and project specifications.
• Resolving technical issues related to substation or communication equipment.
• Analyzing structures and foundations.
• Serving as a professional resource for engineering aspects related to buildings, transmission lines, substations, communication systems, or geotechnical engineering.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.